Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-09-08
little follow of twelve years, was the very

little follow Of twelve years, was the very
embodiment OF goodness and manliness,
thought / sometimes met him in my soil
tary rambles around tho place, and he evel
greeted me kindly, but noticed that strict
watch was kept that we did not often see
each other.
Another circumstance that occurred each
year Of my stay at the Heights served tc
strengthen my opinion that for some good
reason was an inmate of this autocratiC
household. The first year after my being
installed there, l was surprised to see ar
rive at the gate a carriage containing
large party vino had evidently come ia
pass quite length of time at the Heights,
for they brought considerable luggage with
them. The master and mistress seemed
very glad to see them, but also much sur
prised, and afterward learned they were
not expected for few days. Among the
company was an old gentleman whose hair
was white Is snow, but yet who looked hale
and heartN He was a noble looking old
man, with fine, erect figure and pleasant
address. Every one seemed to like him,
thought. But it was to tho old lady, his
wife, my heart warmed, though l only
caught glimpse of her; but her lovely
placid face beneath the white hair was one
not likely to be soon forgotten. I felt as
though l could have crept into the kind
motherly arms and been sure they would
welcome me warmly.
"Who are theyl' l asked Maggie, who
was in my room at the time Of their arrival.
''The old lady and gentleman are Mr.. and
Mrs. Caledon," she replied, "they are, or
were Mr.. Phillips parents. They always
come here for visit in June and bring
their young relations with them, and fine
time they have, can tell you"
did not doubt her words, as / watched
the merry, laughing party enter the house
end proceed to make themselves at home in
the spacious rooms. But that evening,
greatly to my surprise, was transferred to
farm house ten miles distant, where 1 re-
NAMED for q month with no other company
than the stupid German housewife and her
equally stupid husband. The reason as
signed for this was they needed my room.
When l returned again to Caledon the
visitors were gone. Every year of my stay
this was repeated. ! wondered but could
find no clue as to why was thus banished.
The reader must not imagine that / had
forgotten my friend Dudley, who had so
kindly promised to return some day and
look after my welfare, not by any means.
His return was the one beacon toward
which / was ever looking, hoping and
planning. grew foolish as the idea was)
to love him, or the memory of him rather,
In those days. Sometimes an awful haunt
ing fear would come upon me that when he
returned and saw Irma Barrett so beautiful
and clever he would forget poor me, but
this thought was too terrible to be endured
and drove it away. He surely was my
friend mine alone. The Claytons and Bar
retts had nothing to do with him, said
hcrceiy.
They had been the bane of my existence
but they should never rob me of my friend
Oliver Dudley. And / watched and waited
always patiently, for his coming. Ispent
hours wondering what he would say whet
he should see me grown to be a young Lady
now, thought proudly Would he like me
/ wondered, and, would he have grown old
.er and graver in all these yearsa OF course
he had. But this meeting about which
had planned, as is often the case with mos
of our plans, came about in a very different
manner than had anticipated.
1t was dull, misty day in late October
that saw the carriage arrive from tbs
depot, bringing party of visitors to the
Heights. saw that the Caledons, who hae
not made their usual summer visit, had ar
rived. l knew instantly | should be ban
ished, and for the first time l rebelled a
this For, what if Mr.. Dudley should arrive IL